Applying to University for the first time

So you applied to university for the first time. Congratulations! After all of the payments are received you can now officially play the waiting game: e-mails will start rolling in and you will begin to feel popular again. It is a different feeling than most, as you anticipate a response. This response will ultimately determine where you will be next year in September. The worst part? I would say it is submitting all of your documents in a timely manner but in all honesty, it is waiting for their decision. From the time you apply, to the time you submit everything - you are left busy and with always something to do. In that meantime, when everything is said and done, you have nothing to do anymore. All you have to do is, wait. It is a grueling process as you wait because you begin to question and doubt yourself ... it is an unruly cycle that will mandatorily come to an end. It can take up to two months for a university to give you their decision. Is it because they don't want to give you an early acceptance? Maybe. Is it because they are prioritizing amongst the "better" students and feel you deserve to wait? Possibly. Regardless of the reason, you will be given a yes or no answer and here is my advice: 

1) Do submit your documents at once. 

As I said before, this is a tedious process. Depending on your educational experience and what program you are applying to, you will need to submit your high school transcripts and if this isn't your first time, post-secondary transcripts, as well. My best advice is to have everything send at once. This ensures accuracy on your end, and as your documents get sent out to the different cities, it is rest assured the mailman did so in one shipment. 

2) Check your e-mail as often as you can.

You will be getting many, many e-mails. From welcomes to "Your Next Steps", e-mails are your friend. Sometimes too if you are lucky, the university may e-mail you to notify a change on your account and to check immediately because it could have to do with an admission decision, or letter. Make sure the e-mail you choose is an active account with a clean and updated inbox.

3) If you have questions, ask.

I am a big motivator when it comes to having questions and wanting answers. Questions from did you receive my application? to my account is not working properly and even to I am very eager and interested in this program, is there anyway to determine when I will receive a decision?. I find the best way to ask your question is again, through e-mail because it is personalized and if asked properly, there will be few miscommunications. Again, this can give you a +1 for the admissions advisor because they see your interest and desire -- I highly recommend!

4) Choose your university wisely.

The ultimate question is this: Why do you want to go there? Is it because of the campus? The social life? or Academics? Whatever your reason is, please be assured this will affect your experience if you do get accepted. And yes, distance matters. It sounds amazing going to a school that is a few hours away from home, but until life happens and your away to school, things can change. Choose a university that fits your lifestyle, and make sure you are comfortable with your decision because you are paying money just to get in. 

5) Read admission criteria carefully. 

So you like this program ... but little do you know this program requires a grade 12 math requirement you don't have. What do you do? Some universities have leeway when it comes to small requirements to their program. But please, do not oversee this fact because you will eventually need that grade 12 math requirement. Make sure the program you choose is in your interest, skill, and something in which you excel in and not because the program title makes you sound smart. 

I hope my tips are helpful and if you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comment section. If you are one of the students awaiting a response, or you are just beginning to apply; good luck and relax. You will find the process easier than then anticipation itself and if a university happens to deny your application please do not take it to heart as there will be other opportunities to come within your lifetime.